Helmet (Suji Kabuto)

Armorer Inscribed by Yoshihisa Japanese

Decorator Inscribed by Nobumasa Japanese

early 17th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 377

The helmet bears the signatures of the armorer, Yoshihisa, who lived in Uda, in Echizen Province (modern Fukui Prefecture), and of the decorator, Nobumasa, also of Echizen.

The Yoshihisa lineage of armorers came to Echizen province in the late 16th century where it produced armors, tsuba (sword guards), okimono (ornaments), and other iron/steel objects for eleven generations until the end of the Edo period. The first master, whose real name was Ide Kozaemon (Yoshihisa was the name he used as an armorer) and who was most likely the maker of this helmet, died in 1664.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Helmet (Suji Kabuto)
Armorer: Inscribed by Yoshihisa (Japanese, Uda, Edo period, active early 17th century)
Decorator: Inscribed by Nobumasa (Japanese, Echizen Province, Edo period, active early 17th century)
Date: early 17th century
Culture: Japanese
Medium: Iron, silver, leather, silk
Dimensions: H. 11 1/2 in. (29.2 cm); W. 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm)
Classification: Helmets
Credit Line: Gift of Bashford Dean, 1914
Object Number: 14.100.160
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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